In what observers see as an inducement towards his re-election bid, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has announced a 25% discount on the Keke-NAPEP loan ealier given to the members of the Tricycles Riders Association as a stimulus to ease their hardship occasioned by fuel scarcity, cashless policy and other economic challenges.
The governor was speaking at APC Square during a rally conducted by members of the Gombe State Tricycle Riders Association as a show of support and solidarity for the governor towards his re-election bid.
Governor Inuwa said his administration is always committed to improving the quality and standard of life of the common man in Gombe State.
“As we have done for other unions and business groups, your association will also receive its share of 10 million Naira grant on Monday as part of our intervention grant to Small and Medium Scale Businesses under Gombe State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, GO-CARES to help revive businesses in the post-COVID era”, the governor announced, calling on them to ensure just and equitable distribution of the money.
The governor also doled out another 2.2 million Naira cash to the members of the association in appreciation for their support and solidarity visit.
Speaking further, Governor Inuwa explained that since the inception of his administration, he has focused on ways and means to empower people while improving the general living condition of the population.
He said, his government recognises the role of business communities, especially Keke-NAPEP riders in the economic and social development of the state, hence he always pays attention to their plights.
“When we came, we procured 50 new buses for Gombe Line and later added 30. In the same vein, we procured and distributed 1000 units of Keke-NAPEP all in our efforts to empower and support people, ease transportation, and boost our economy”, he said.
He noted that other projects his government executed have also created a favourable atmosphere for Keke riders to operate. He said, “We installed solar street lights, constructed roads, and provided other infrastructures. All these help in your safety security and well-being, he stated.
The governor called on members of the association to reciprocate the gesture by supporting APC to victory at the forthcoming Saturday elections, assuring of more interventions to them.
“If you vote for us and ensure our successful return to power, I promised you additional 1000 units of Keke-NAPEP and many more interventions”.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of the Tricycle Riders Association, Muhammad Abdullahi Sarki said no association has benefited from Inuwa-led Administration more than Keke-NAPEP riders.
“In the history of Gombe State, no governor has paid attention to Keke Napep riders the way Dan Maje did and is still doing.
“Governor Inuwa supported us with 1000 Units of Tricycles. On each tricycle at least 3 people depend for their livelihoods; they Carter for their families and other relatives. Can you imagine how many thousands of people depend on those 1000 units?”, he rhetorically asked.
He assured that his members will vote for Inuwa and canvass support for him from families, friends, and contemporaries. “Let us come out en-masse next Saturday to repay our debt to ensure the sustainability of this good development.
“We shall all be good ambassadors of Dan Majen Gombe. We will Insha Allah reduce our fares by fifty percent from today to Friday. And on election day, we resolve to transport all women passengers free of charge to polling units as our humble contribution towards Inuwa’s reelection”, he affirmed.
In their separate remarks, the Gombe LGA Chairman of the Association, Imam Abdullahi Kwaine, his Billiri LGA counterpart, John Bukar Yarbawa thanked Governor Inuwa for his consistent support to the association and providing a good atmosphere for them to run their activities, citing solar street lights, road networks especially in the outskirts of Gombe Metropolis, among other projects that ease their operations.
